SUNDAY'S Dragons-Sharks derby has been moved forward two and half hours after the scheduled Bulldogs-Roosters clashed was postponed until Monday as a result of a COVID-19 scare.
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The Bulldogs were scheduled to host the Roosters at Bacnkwest Stadium in Sunday's regular 4.05pm schedule but was shifted after a teacher at the school attended by Dogs prop Aiden Tolman's children tested positive for the virus.
Tolman has since been placed in isolation to be tested, with the schedule adjusted to allow adequate time for results to be returned.
It's the first biosecurity-enforced schedule change of the resumed season but ARLC chairman Peter V'landys said it was necessary to ensure player safety.
"There's a very remote risk of infection within the Bulldogs squad," V'landys said.
"To ensure there is no risk at all, the player will be tested today and the game delayed until tomorrow to ensure the test results have returned. I want to congratulate the Bulldogs for swiftly informing the NRL,'' he said.
"I want to thank our broadcast partners for their assistance, at very short notice, in changing the schedule. The changes will ensure our fans will still be able to watch a game on free to air television this afternoon," he said.
It's a big disruption in the lead-up to the Dragons-Sharks clash, with the club only finding out this morning about the change.
It's the second issue the Bulldogs have had with biosecurity measures after club legend Terry Lambh breached social-distancing measures to greet a group of players last week.
Tigers star Benji Marshalll was also forced to self-isolate after greeting a reporter with a kiss prior to Tigers training, a breach of protocols.